Article Holding Device

ABSTRACT

An article holding device for stowing articles while using a golf cart includes a cup, a fastener, and a stowage module. The fastener is engaged to a lip of the cup and can engage an element of a vehicle, such as a tube of a frame of a golf cart, to removably engage the cup to the vehicle. The stowage module is engaged to the lip and can removably engage at least one of a rolled tobacco product, a golf tee, a golf ball, a matchbook, and a lighter. The stowage module is used to stow the at least one of a rolled tobacco product, a golf tee, a golf ball, a matchbook, and a lighter. The cup can be selectively utilized to ash the rolled tobacco product and to stow articles of a user.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not Applicable

INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC OR AS A TEXT FILE VIA THE OFFICE ELECTRONIC FILING SYSTEM

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STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY THE INVENTOR OR JOINT INVENTOR

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION (1) Field of the Invention

The disclosure relates to holding devices and more particularly pertains to a new holding device for stowing articles while using a golf cart.

(2) Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98

The prior art relates to holding devices. Prior art holding devices for golf carts may comprises ashtrays that are insertable into a score card holder of a golf cart, as well as containers and cigar holders that are reversibly mountable to a golf cart

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the disclosure meets the needs presented above by generally comprising a cup, a fastener, and a stowage module. The fastener is engaged to a lip of the cup and is configured to be engageable to an element of a vehicle, such as a tube of a frame of a golf cart, to removably engage the cup to the vehicle. The stowage module is engaged to the lip and is configured to removably engage at least one of a rolled tobacco product, a golf tee, a golf ball, a matchbook, and a lighter. The stowage module is configured to stow the at least one of a rolled tobacco product, a golf tee, a golf ball, a matchbook, and a lighter. The cup can be selectively utilized to ash the rolled tobacco product and to stow articles of a user.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the disclosure in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the disclosure that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

The objects of the disclosure, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the disclosure, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

The disclosure will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is an isometric perspective view of an article holding device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a top view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a side view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a front view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 6 is an in-use view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 6 thereof, a new holding device embodying the principles and concepts of an embodiment of the disclosure and generally designated by the reference numeral 10 will be described.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 6, the article holding device 10 generally comprises a cup 12, a fastener 14, and a stowage module 16. The cup 12 may be conically frustrum shaped so that a top 18 of the cup 12 is circumferentially larger than a bottom 20 of the cup 12, as shown in FIG. 4. The present invention anticipates the cup 12 being alternatively shaped, such as, but not limited to, cylindrically shaped, rectangular box shaped, and the like.

The fastener 14 is engaged to a lip 22 of the cup 12 and is configured to be engageable to an element of a vehicle, such as tube of a frame of a golf cart, to removably engage the cup 12 to the vehicle. The fastener 14 may comprise a bracket 24, which is substantially U-shaped. The bracket 24 is configured for insertion of a tube of a frame of the vehicle to engage the cup 12 to the tube. The bracket 24 is rotationally engaged to the cup 12 so that the cup 12 is selectively rotatable relative to the tube of the frame. The present invention anticipates the fastener 14 comprising other fastening means, such as, but not limited to, clamps, suction cups, and the like.

A grip 26 is engaged to an inner face 62 of the bracket 24 and is configured to frictionally engage the tube of the frame. The grip 26 comprises at least one of rubber, silicone, and elastomer.

The stowage module 16 is engaged to the lip 22 and is configured to removably engage at least one of a rolled tobacco product, a golf tee, a golf ball, a matchbook, and a lighter. The stowage module 16 thus is configured to stow the at least one of a rolled tobacco product, a golf tee, a golf ball, a matchbook, and a lighter. The cup 12 can be selectively utilized to ash the rolled tobacco product and to stow articles of a user.

The stowage module 16 comprises a plate 28, which is engaged to the lip 22 and which extends outwardly from the cup 12 substantially coplanarly with the top 18. The plate 28 has a plurality of holes 30 positioned therethrough distal from the cup 12, as shown in FIG. 2. Each hole 30 is configured for insertion of a shaft of respective golf tee to stow the respective golf tee, as shown in FIG. 6.

A plurality of bars 32 is coupled to and extends from an upper face 34 of the plate 28 defining a set of slots 36, as shown in FIG. 2. Each slot 36 is configured for insertion of a respective rolled tobacco product to stow the respective rolled tobacco product. The rolled tobacco product can be stowed in the slot 36 such that a lit end of the rolled tobacco product is positioned over the cup 12.

The plurality of bars 32 may comprise four bars 32 that define three slots 36. At least one of the slots 36 is sized for insertion of a cigarette, at least one of the slots 36 is sized for insertion of a cigar, and at least one of the slots 36 is sized for insertion of a cigarillo. The present invention anticipates other configurations of bars 32 defining associated configurations of slots 36, such as configurations of bars 32 defining configurations of slots 36 for stowing multiple cigarettes, multiple cigars, and the like.

The plate 28 has an edge 38 distal from the cup 12. The plurality of bars 32 is positioned between the edge 38 and the cup 12, as shown in FIG. 2. The plurality of bars 32 extends arcuately between opposed sides 40 of the plate 28. Each bar 32 is trapezoidal prism shaped so that an upper end 42 of the bar 32 is trapezoidally shaped. A first side 44 of the bar 32 is dimensionally wider than a second side 46 of the bar 32. The bars 32 are positioned so that inner sides 48 of adjacently positioned bars 32, which define an associated slot 36, are substantially parallel planer.

The stowage module 16 also comprises a block 50, which is engaged to the lip 22. The block 50 has a cutout 52 extending into an upper facet 54 thereof. The cutout 52 is configured for insertion of at least one of a matchbook, as shown in FIG. 6, and a lighter (not shown) to stow the at least one of a matchbook and a lighter.

The stowage module 16 also comprises a shell 56, which may be engaged to and extend from the lip 22 (not shown), or a lower facet 58 of the block 50, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The shell 56 is resiliently stretchable and hemispherically shaped. The shell 56 is configured to be stretched for insertion of a golf ball into an open face 60 thereof. The shell 56 is positioned to rebound to engage the golf ball, as shown in FIG. 6. The shell 56 comprises at least one of rubber, silicone, and elastomer.

In use, the device 10 is engaged to a tube of the frame of the golf cart, in a location convenient to the user, by inserting the tube into the bracket 24. The slots 36, the holes 30, the shell 56, and the cutout 52 are positioned to stow the rolled tobacco product, the golf tee, the golf ball, the matchbook, respectively.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of an embodiment enabled by the disclosure, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by an embodiment of the disclosure.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the disclosure. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the disclosure to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the disclosure. In this patent document, the word “comprising” is used in its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite article “a” does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the elements is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be only one of the elements. 

I claim:
 1. An article holding device comprising: a cup; a fastener engaged to a lip of the cup and being configured to be engageable to an element of a vehicle for removably engaging the cup to the vehicle; and a stowage module engaged to the lip and being configured for removably engaging at least one of a rolled tobacco product, a golf tee, a golf ball, a matchbook, and a lighter for stowing the at least one of a rolled tobacco product, a golf tee, a golf ball, a matchbook, and a lighter.
 2. The article holding device of claim 1, wherein the cup is conically frustrum shaped, such that a top of the cup is circumferentially larger than a bottom of the cup.
 3. The article holding device of claim 1, wherein the fastener comprises a bracket, the bracket being substantially U-shaped, wherein the bracket is configured for inserting a tube of a frame of the vehicle for engaging the cup to the tube.
 4. The article holding device of claim 3, wherein the bracket is rotationally engaged to the cup, such that the cup is selectively rotatable relative to the tube of the frame.
 5. The article holding device of claim 3, further including a grip engaged to an inner face of the bracket, wherein the grip is configured for frictionally engaging the tube of the frame.
 6. The article holding device of claim 5, wherein the grip comprises at least one of rubber, silicone, and elastomer.
 7. The article holding device of claim 1, wherein the stowage module comprises a plate engaged to the lip and extending outwardly from the cup substantially coplanarly with the top, the plate having a plurality of holes positioned therethrough distal from the cup, wherein each hole is configured for insertion of a shaft of respective golf tee for stowing the respective golf tee.
 8. The article holding device of claim 1, further including: the stowage module comprising a plate engaged to the lip and extending outwardly from the cup substantially coplanarly with the top; and a plurality of bars coupled to and extending from an upper face of the plate defining a set of slots, wherein each slot is configured for insertion of a respective rolled tobacco product for stowing the respective rolled tobacco product.
 9. The article holding device of claim 8, wherein the plate has an edge distal from the cup, the plurality of bars being positioned between the edge and the cup.
 10. The article holding device of claim 8, wherein the plurality of bars comprises four bars defining three slots.
 11. The article holding device of claim 8, wherein at least one of the slots is sized for insertion of a cigarette.
 12. The article holding device of claim 8, wherein at least one of the slots is sized for insertion of a cigar.
 13. The article holding device of claim 8, wherein at least one of the slots is sized for insertion of a cigarillo.
 14. The article holding device of claim 9, wherein: the plurality of bars extends arcuately between opposed sides of the plate; each bar is trapezoidal prism shaped such that an upper end of the bar is trapezoidally shaped, and such that a first side of the bar is dimensionally wider than a second side of the bar; and the bars being positioned such that inner sides of adjacently positioned bars defining an associated slot are substantially parallel planer.
 15. The article holding device of claim 1, wherein the stowage module comprises a block engaged to the lip, the block having a cutout extending into an upper facet thereof and being configured for insertion of at least one of a matchbook and a lighter for stowing the at least one of a matchbook and a lighter.
 16. The article holding device of claim 1, wherein the stowage module comprises a shell engaged to and extending from the lip, the shell being resiliently stretchable and hemispherically shaped, wherein the shell is configured for stretching for insertion of a golf ball into an open face thereof, positioning the shell for rebounding for engaging the golf ball.
 17. The article holding device of claim 16, wherein the shell comprises at least one of rubber, silicone, and elastomer.
 18. The article holding device of claim 1, wherein the stowage module comprises: a block engaged to the lip, the block having a cutout extending into an upper facet thereof and being configured for insertion of at least one of a matchbook and a lighter for stowing the at least one of a matchbook and a lighter; and a shell engaged to and extending from a lower facet of the block, the shell being resiliently stretchable and hemispherically shaped, wherein the shell is configured for stretching for insertion of a golf ball into an open face thereof, positioning the shell for rebounding for engaging the golf ball.
 19. The article holding device of claim 16, wherein the shell comprises at least one of rubber, silicone, and elastomer.
 20. An article holding device comprising: a cup, the cup being conically frustrum shaped, such that a top of the cup is circumferentially larger than a bottom of the cup; a fastener engaged to a lip of the cup and being configured to be engageable to an element of a vehicle for removably engaging the cup to the vehicle, the fastener comprising a bracket, the bracket being substantially U-shaped, wherein the bracket is configured for inserting a tube of a frame of the vehicle for engaging the cup to the tube, the bracket being rotationally engaged to the cup, such that the cup is selectively rotatable relative to the tube of the frame; a grip engaged to an inner face of the bracket, wherein the grip is configured for frictionally engaging the tube of the frame, the grip comprising at least one of rubber, silicone, and elastomer; a stowage module engaged to the lip and being configured for removably engaging at least one of a rolled tobacco product, a golf tee, a golf ball, a matchbook, and a lighter for stowing the at least one of a rolled tobacco product, a golf tee, a golf ball, a matchbook, and a lighter; the stowage module comprising a plate engaged to the lip and extending outwardly from the cup substantially coplanarly with the top, the plate having a plurality of holes positioned therethrough distal from the cup, wherein each hole is configured for insertion of a shaft of respective golf tee for stowing the respective golf tee; a plurality of bars coupled to and extending from an upper face of the plate defining a set of slots, wherein each slot is configured for insertion of a respective rolled tobacco product for stowing the respective rolled tobacco product, the plurality of bars comprising four bars defining three slots, at least one of the slots being sized for insertion of a cigarette, at least one of the slots being sized for insertion of a cigar, at least one of the slots being sized for insertion of a cigarillo, the plate having an edge distal from the cup, the plurality of bars being positioned between the edge and the cup, the plurality of bars extending arcuately between opposed sides of the plate, each bar being trapezoidal prism shaped such that an upper end of the bar is trapezoidally shaped, and such that a first side of the bar is dimensionally wider than a second side of the bar, the bars being positioned such that inner sides of adjacently positioned bars defining an associated slot are substantially parallel planer; the stowage module comprising a block engaged to the lip, the block having a cutout extending into an upper facet thereof and being configured for insertion of at least one of a matchbook and a lighter for stowing the at least one of a matchbook and a lighter; and the stowage module comprising a shell engaged to and extending from the lip, the shell being resiliently stretchable and hemispherically shaped, wherein the shell is configured for stretching for insertion of a golf ball into an open face thereof, positioning the shell for rebounding for engaging the golf ball, the shell comprising at least one of rubber, silicone, and elastomer, the shell being engaged to and extending from a lower facet of the block. 